The Centre for Truth and Justice (CTJ) has criticized the recent local government elections in Rivers State, calling them a violation of democratic principles. The elections, held on October 5 by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), took place despite a court ruling from Justice Peter Lifu, which stated that RSIEC did not follow the required 90-day notice before setting the election date.

The ruling also prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters’ register and barred security support from the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

In defiance of these orders, the election proceeded, with the Action Peoples Party (APP) winning 22 of the 23 local government chairmanship positions. Obinna Francis, the Executive Director of CTJ, condemned the elections in a press conference, claiming they lacked transparency and legitimacy. He labeled the actions of Governor Fubara in conducting the elections as a “dangerous precedent” that threatens democracy, stating, “What happened in Rivers State is a travesty of democracy and an assault on the rule of law.” Francis emphasized that the elections were illegal and violated core democratic principles.